Saw this yesterday and it is what all the reviews say a gentle romantic comedy. It was rather slow in parts and I nodded off at one point. Ewan McGregor is always good and the actor who played the Prince (sorry didn't catch the name) is gorgeous. Emily Blunt was Emily Blunt.

I loved the book, and am in two minds as to whether to see the film or not.am not suresusiecb if your post is encouraging or off putting!

Well its a nice enough film and its been raining hard this week so not much else to do but go to the flicks but if the budget is tight or you have better things to do I would wait for it to be on TV possibly at Xmas or Sky Box Office would be cheaper- the cinematography is not all that brilliant you will get just as good an effect on TV. I definitely thought they could have made more use of the views esp the Scottish bit.

I loved the book and was looking forward to the film, but having read/heard various reviews have decided not to waste time and money on a cinema trip. When it eventually comes on tv might record it for a wet afternoon!

Oh do go. I haven't laughed so much in the cinema for ages. The first half, with all the civil servants passing the buck to each other, was hilarious and Kristin Scott Thomas scorching round Whitehall as the Prime Minister's Press Secretary was out of this world. I bet she enjoyed playing the part. Once they got to the Yemen it all became just a perfectly nice little rom-com, but it's worth it for the first half alone.

I hadn't realised Kristin Scott Thomas was in it until I was having a coffee at our cinema the other night whilst waiting to go to the theatre and they showed a trailer. She's my favourite actress at the moment, and I first started to like her after seeing her in a black comedy with Rowan Atkinson; one tends to think of her as playing tortured souls but she does comedy very well.

I enjoyed the book more than the film! Goldengran but there were a few 'laugh out loud moments in the film' (see Ganja's comment above). That said it was a pleasant way to spend a wet Wednesday afternoon AND our lovely local cinema only charged us £4.50 with the option of a cuppa!

Hi crimson, fellow KST fan. That was Keeping Mum wasn't it? With Maggie Smith, and a very cringe-making Patrick Swayze! It turns up on odd tv channels from time to time so other Gransnetters might like to keep an eye out for it.

Ganja it also turns up as a cut-price DVD, I have it and love it (£3.99 and worth every penny!)

Prepared to post it to anyone to borrow!

I was wondering about reading it just yesterday. Even read some reviews on amazon, but plumped for the marigold hotel instead. If no-one has claimed it yet, I'd be interested in borrowing it, ogm. I'd send it back or onto someone else. Perhaps I have something to send you too??

pedant alert! on to not onto

Eek!

Will wait for it to come on cable tv

Bags I have bought a neat little box for posting the DVD. Perhaps you could PM me an address. Do pass it on if you like, I shall label it as I would like it back at some point. ( The box can be used over and over!)

Thank you, ogm.

ogm that reminds me - you recommended a book a while ago, When the Sun goes Cold (I think - it's upstairs and I'm too knackered to trek up there at the moment!). Just started reading it and finding it fascinating - thanks

On the subject of obscure films that turn up on telly late at night, I saw a film called Reflections with Gabriel Byrne many years ago and have never seen it since; I can't seem to see it for sale anywhere either. For some reason I really wnat to see this film again; annoyingly I probably had it on video once.

whenim64 glad you are enjoying the book, did you see the news recently, about Sudan? Reading the book put things into perspective for me. I've also 'googled' the warlord (or have I already mentioned that) and found he has risen to great heights!

Yes, I did ogm. I must Google the 'warlord' myself. I'm finding the mother's story so interesting - what a strange upbringing she had. This book is getting more interesting by the page. Thanks for the recommendation

I really enjoyed this film; was very sweet and very funny. On a rare trip into town today bought Kristin Scott Thomas's film 'Leaving' which I missed when it was on at the cinema.

ogm I Google'd the warlord and see he is mentioned many times over. Looks like he has done a PhD and has a lot of power now.

Re: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - I ordered a copy a couple of days ago and it arrived this morning. Looking forward to reading it next.

I agree completely with ganja the political satire in the first part very, very funny if you are into that kind of thing. And KST stole the show.
E McG interestingly unattractive - an Oscar for makeup and hair perhaps?
Great casting except perhaps Emily a little lightweight.
I loved KST in "I've loved you so long" It's in French with subtitles but HIGHLY recommended.

I'd love to be one of those Anglo French actresses like Charlotte Rampling and KST; there's something so glamorous about them in a totally 'anti Joan Collins' sort of way.

Just succumbed and ordered DVD of Sarah's Key. Fairly recent KST film about the deportation of French Jews from Paris. Harrowing but wonderful. Highly recommended.

I see the Yememy tourist board has issued a statement to the effect that English tourists should understand that there is no salmon fishing in the Yemem, as there have been so many enquiries - -ye gods!!